"Oh, I have seen zem much worse," was her ready answer, "but zey did
terrible damage. Terrible!"

And, on talking with some of the old residents of San Juan, and with
the hotel people, Jack and Walter learned that the storm was a most
unusual one.

It was of the nature of a hurricane, but it did not have the sudden
sharpness and shortness of attack of those devastating storms. The
real hurricane season, due to a change of climatic conditions, was
supposed to have passed, and this storm was entirely unlooked for,
and unexpected.

It did not blow steadily, as hurricanes did, but in fits and gusts,
more disconcerting than a steady blow of more power. The rain, also,
came in showers. Now there would not be a drop filling, and again
there would be a deluge, blinding in its intensity.

For want of a better name the storm was called a hurricane, though
many of the real characteristics were lacking. And, as the dreary
day wore on, the motor girls, and the boys, too, felt themselves
coming under the spell of fear--not so much for themselves, as for
their loved ones aboard the Ramona, which was the name of the steamer
on, which Mr. and Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Kimball had sailed.

"Oh, if anything has happened to them!" sighed Cora.

"Can't we get some news?" asked Bess, faintly.